The incident happened in January, during the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip.

Gideon Falter, who is Jewish, said he confronted Laxton, £70,000-a-year head of the Foreign Office South Asia desk.

Mr Falter told Westminster Magistrates Court Laxton said: ‘It’s f****** despicable what they’re doing in Gaza’ and ‘It’s not racist. If I had my way, the international community would be sent in and if the Israelis got in the way, they would be blown off the face of the f****** earth.’

Laxton denies stirring up religious hatred.

He told the court: ‘I am embarrassed. I offended somebody, I embarrassed the Foreign Office, I’ve caused anxiety to friends and family.

'I regret using foul language and I regret using imprecise language.’

He said he was upset at a TV report of the death of a Palestinian farmer.

Defending, Julian Knowles said Laxton had no reason to believe anyone could hear him as he was alone on the top tier of the gym.